NEW YORK -- The stock market stalled Wednesday after the glow of strong results at Apple and a few other companies faded.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose about 8 points, while broader indexes were mixed.
Technology and industrial shares drew buyers after Apple and Boeing delivered results that topped expectations. Health stocks lagged on concerns that new laws will hurt the industry's profits. Financial stocks also fell after traders speculated on the fallout from a potential overhaul of government regulations.
The good news on earnings wasn't enough to give the market much of a lift. Analysts caution that investors are starting to become accustomed to better earnings, so even stellar numbers might not inject energy into stocks.
"This market is overbought, and it really does need a little bit of a pullback. We're priced for perfection," said Burt White, chief investment officer for LPL Financial in Boston.
Some selling could come today after a profit forecast from eBay disappointed investors after the closing bell. Shares of the online auction company fell 8 percent in after-hours electronic trading.
Apple's earnings blew past analysts forecasts thanks to strong sales of iPhones, sending its stock up 6 percent. Apple was the latest in a string of technology companies to report improving profits as the economy recovers.
The Dow rose 7.86, or 0.1 percent, to 11,124.92, its third straight advance. The Dow has risen nine of the past 10 days.
The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 1.23, or 0.1 percent, to 1,205.94. The Nasdaq composite index rose 4.30, or 0.2 percent, to 2,504.61.
Britain's FTSE 100 fell 1 percent; Germany's DAX index fell 0.5 percent, and France's CAC-40 dropped 1.2 percent. Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 1.7 percent.
